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Kai Tack Reclamation.-Originally a private enterprise, was resumed by Government early in the year. Approximate area 205 acres, about 40 acres were filled in during the year, making a total of about 160 acres of reclaimed land.
Kowloon Bay West Reclamation. This work remained in abeyance practically throughout the year.
Kowloon Bay East Reclamation.-Practically no work done during the year.
New Territories.-Further Reclamation work was undertaken by the Standard Oil Co. and about 75% completed.
PIERS.
Hong Kong.-The extensive repair work on Blake Pier was satisfactorily completed.
Kowloon.-The Police Pier at Tsim Sha Tsui suffered considerable damage from typhoon seas during July. Repair work was well in hand by end of the year.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The total amount expended on Public Works Extraordinary was $690,069 and on annually recurrent works $1,542,494.98.
VIII.-Public Health.
The Birth rate for the year was 8.2 per 1000 among the Chinese community and 19.6 per 1000 among the Non-Chinese as compared with 4.18 and 19.21 in 1926. This is the highest Chinese birth rate ever recorded in the Colony. Birth statistics in Hong Kong are most misleading as registration is largely evaded by the Chinese especially as regards female children. Registration of Chinese births in 1927 shows increases of 104% as regards males and 153% as regards females over the figures for 1926; the population is estimated to have increased meanwhile by about 10% and it appears, therefore, that registration of births, especially of females, is being carried out to a greater degree than formerly.
The death rate for the year was 16.6 per 1000 among the Chinese community and 13.2 per 1000 among the Non-Chinese civil community, as compared with 16.01 and 10.9 in 1926. The ratio of deaths of infants to the total deaths registered was 31.6% (27.3% in 1926).
There were 4,239 deaths from respiratory diseases other than Tuberculosis as compared with 3,566 in 1926. Of these 34 were Non-Chinese (27 in 1926). Tubercular infections of the respiratory system caused 1,595 deaths in 1927 (1,517 in 1926) of which 31 were Non-Chinese.